Screen Readers are software programs that read text on the computer screen in a manner that an individual who is blind or visually impaired could know what is on the screen. The screen reader identifies graphics such as those located on the tool bar or icons located on the Desktop. It also reads menus, text, punctuation, and control buttons. Newer versions of screen readers will read what is happening on the screen, for instance which dialogue boxes are opening on the screen. Other types of screen readers may transfer the information to a Braille display so that the person can read the Braille instead of listening to the information.
The screen reader allows the person listening to control the computer via the keyboard commands instead of the mouse. Individuals both blind/visually impaired, as well as sighted individuals apply most keyboard commands utilized. However there are special keyboard commands that the screen reader employs solely for the individual who is blind/visually impaired. Some screen readers operate using their own touch-pad instead of a keyboard.
Using a Screen Reader
To use a screen reader, a software screen - reading program is needed. This program gives information to the speech synthesizer. The speech synthesizer is hardware or software that produces electronic human speech on the computer. This voice is what reads the information sent from the screen to the computer user. Most often the speech synthesizer is included with the screen reader. Without the speech synthesizer there would be no speech (voice) output. Most programs include different male or female voices to choose from. The cost of programs range from free downloads to approximately $2,000.00. According to the Alliance for Technology Access, $450-$600 is around the most common amount spent for programs.
Screen Readers are primarily available for Windows applications. However, there are a few compatible with Macintosh.
Advantages:
· Offer input to speech synthesizers · Offer input to Braille display · Come equipped with speech synthesizer · Offer choice in speech output · Can be used in school, home, and office settings · Hot key commands as an alternative to using the mouse · Available for pocket PC’s · Choose from male or female voice · Voices available in international languages · Interactive talking installation · Supports Internet Explorer
Disadvantages:
· Can be very costly · Not all available in Macintosh Format · Typing too fast distorts the speech · Not all provide a spoken list of keyboard commands · Not all include the speech synthesizer · Some synthesized voices are difficult to listen to
Get started today working with all your Microsoft and IBM Lotus® Symphony™ applications using JAWS®, the world's most popular screen reader. Developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content, JAWS reads aloud what's on the PC screen.
Developed for blind computer users, Hal is a software screen reader that works by reading the screen interactively and communicating through a speech synthesiser or a refreshable Braille display.
SuperNova is a full screen reader offering magnification, speech AND Braille support, giving people with visual impairment the freedom to access Windows in the way that suits them best. More about SuperNova.
Thunder- Thunder is a simple free screen reader for personal use at home. It only include speech support, no braille and magnification support has been included. http://www.screenreader.net/
Do you know someone who is blind or visually impaired? Why not help them to download free software onto their computer so it will talk to them?
Window-Eyes is nothing less than the most stable screen reader available on the market today. Featuring Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home, Professional, and Media Center), Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista (all 32-bit and 64-bit versions, including Vista Ultimate, Vista Home Premium, Vista Home Basic, Vista Business, and Vista Enterprise), all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008, and all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, Window-Eyes puts you in the hands of the most powerful screen reading software ever created.
ReadPlease (http://www.readplease.com/)free for Windows 95/98/NT ($49.00 for Pro version) marketed more for sighted people who may want to have things read to them for proofreading and learning to read and write.
VoiceOver: Standard reader for Apple Systems Tiger 10.4 and above. Now available on iphone, itouch, and ipad.
Text Aloud by Next Up Technologies (http: //www.nextup.com/) TextAloud is Text to Speech software that converts your text from MS Word Documents, Emails, Web Pages and PDF Files into natural-sounding speech. You can listen on your PC or create audio files for use on portable devices like iPods, PocketPCs and CD players. TextAloud even has automatic iTunes/iPod syncing.
Screen Readers
Screen Readers are software programs that read text on the computer screen in a manner that an individual who is blind or visually impaired could know what is on the screen. The screen reader identifies graphics such as those located on the tool bar or icons located on the Desktop. It also reads menus, text, punctuation, and control buttons. Newer versions of screen readers will read what is happening on the screen, for instance which dialogue boxes are opening on the screen. Other types of screen readers may transfer the information to a Braille display so that the person can read the Braille instead of listening to the information.
The screen reader allows the person listening to control the computer via the keyboard commands instead of the mouse. Individuals both blind/visually impaired, as well as sighted individuals apply most keyboard commands utilized. However there are special keyboard commands that the screen reader employs solely for the individual who is blind/visually impaired. Some screen readers operate using their own touch-pad instead of a keyboard.
Using a Screen Reader
To use a screen reader, a software screen - reading program is needed. This program gives information to the speech synthesizer. The speech synthesizer is hardware or software that produces electronic human speech on the computer. This voice is what reads the information sent from the screen to the computer user. Most often the speech synthesizer is included with the screen reader. Without the speech synthesizer there would be no speech (voice) output. Most programs include different male or female voices to choose from. The cost of programs range from free downloads to approximately $2,000.00. According to the Alliance for Technology Access, $450-$600 is around the most common amount spent for programs.
Screen Readers are primarily available for Windows applications. However, there are a few compatible with Macintosh.
Advantages:
· Offer input to speech synthesizers
· Offer input to Braille display
· Come equipped with speech synthesizer
· Offer choice in speech output
· Can be used in school, home, and office settings
· Hot key commands as an alternative to using the mouse
· Available for pocket PC’s
· Choose from male or female voice
· Voices available in international languages
· Interactive talking installation
· Supports Internet Explorer
Disadvantages:
· Can be very costly
· Not all available in Macintosh Format
· Typing too fast distorts the speech
· Not all provide a spoken list of keyboard commands
· Not all include the speech synthesizer
· Some synthesized voices are difficult to listen to
Products
JAWs for Windows from Freedom Scientific
http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/fs/jaws-product-page.asp
Powerful access to screen content
Get started today working with all your Microsoft and IBM Lotus® Symphony™ applications using JAWS®, the world's most popular screen reader. Developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content, JAWS reads aloud what's on the PC screen.Hal by Dolphin http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/productdetail.asp?id=5
What is Hal?
Developed for blind computer users, Hal is a software screen reader that works by reading the screen interactively and communicating through a speech synthesiser or a refreshable Braille display.What is SuperNova? http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/productdetail.asp?id=1
SuperNova is a full screen reader offering magnification, speech AND Braille support, giving people with visual impairment the freedom to access Windows in the way that suits them best. More about SuperNova.
Thunder - Thunder is a simple free screen reader for personal use at home. It only include speech support, no braille and magnification support has been included. http://www.screenreader.net/
Do you know someone who is blind or visually impaired? Why not help them to download free software onto their computer so it will talk to them?
Window-Eyes - Window-Eyes from GW Micro is a popular screen reader for Windows. http://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/
Window-Eyes is nothing less than the most stable screen reader available on the market today. Featuring Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home, Professional, and Media Center), Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista (all 32-bit and 64-bit versions, including Vista Ultimate, Vista Home Premium, Vista Home Basic, Vista Business, and Vista Enterprise), all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008, and all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7, Window-Eyes puts you in the hands of the most powerful screen reading software ever created.
Home Page Reader by IBM [[(http:/www-3.ibm.com/able/hpr.htm)|(http://www-3.ibm.com/able/hpr.htm)]]
ReadPlease (http://www.readplease.com/)free for Windows 95/98/NT ($49.00 for Pro version) marketed more for sighted people who may want to have things read to them for proofreading and learning to read and write.
VoiceOver: Standard reader for Apple Systems Tiger 10.4 and above. Now available on iphone, itouch, and ipad.
Text Aloud by Next Up Technologies (http: //www.nextup.com/)
TextAloud is Text to Speech software that converts your text from MS Word Documents, Emails, Web Pages and PDF Files into natural-sounding speech. You can listen on your PC or create audio files for use on portable devices like iPods, PocketPCs and CD players. TextAloud even has automatic iTunes/iPod syncing.